by: Sean Cochran
Probably what separates the PGA Touring pro and the amateur golfer is “feel.” Every pro I know can “feel” where the club and clubhead are at any point during the golf swing.
Not an easy task, especially for the weekend golfer.
Many amateurs struggle with the idea, concept, or understanding of how to develop “feel” for the golf swing. It is a process that requires time, patience, and practice.
Part of the process of developing “feel” for the golf club is through proprioception. This may or may not be a term you have heard, but it is vitally important to the golf swing.
Proprioception is a big word that, simply put, is defined as “knowing where your body is in space.” Essentially, it means consciously knowing where your body is when moving, what your limbs are doing, and in what order. To simplify it further, it is feel. Some of us are better at it, others worse.
The good news is that you can improve your proprioception, or your feel.
Think about this for a moment: what is one of the most important aspects of improving your golf swing?
It is “feel” for the golf club at every position within the golf swing. Beginning with address, into take-away, your backswing, downswing, and follow through. “Feeling” where the club is at every moment is key.
PGA Tour pros “feel” the club during the golf swing, or in other words they have excellent proprioceptive abilities. As a result, they have the ability to make the little adjustments that are crucial in the golf swing. Additionally, their outstanding level of proprioception allows them to know what is going on with their golf swing the majority of the time.
How do you develop your ability to better “feel” the golf club and clubhead?
First and foremost, your development of better golf swing mechanics is center stage. Understanding the mechanics and where the clubhead should be is the first step.
This allows you to consciously know and practice the positions of where the golf club and body should be at any moment in the golf swing. Mentally understanding golf swing mechanics allows you to have a “map” to refer to when developing your golf swing.
Secondly, when it comes to golf swing mechanics we look at practice. We all know the body learns a new movement through repetition. The mind and body learn either the correct or incorrect golf swing through practice.
This is the point where the proprioceptive or “feel” abilities of your body for your golf swing begin to form. The movement pattern begins to be ingrained as you continue to practice your golf swing.
This is where the third component of developing “feel” comes into play. The third component of developing “feel” is the body.
Golf swing mechanics are performed by your body, and, as a result, the body is critically involved in developing feel in your golf swing.
Developing feel is linked to your nervous system and the ability of the brain/nerves to input/output information efficiently.
Improving the process by which your brain and nerves input (learning the golf swing mechanics) and output (execution of the golf swing) has a direct effect on your ability to feel the club.
How do you improve the proprioceptive qualities of the body that directly affects your ability to feel the golf club? Improvement in this area lies within performing exercises that increase the efficiency with which the nervous system operates.
Exercises that improve proprioception and “feel” during the swing are called balance exercises. Balance exercises challenge the nervous system, creating more efficiency in the input/output system of the body.
Better balance allows for the body to learn new movements (i.e. golf swing) more quickly and efficiently. Additionally, these exercises increase the ability of the body to “feel” athletic movements like the golf swing.
In summary, we have three components that improve our “feel” for the golf club. Number one is an understanding of golf swing mechanics. You must have a conscious “road map” of the golf swing. This allows you a reference point to develop the correct golf swing mechanics.
Secondly, practice is required. The body learns through repetition. Practice allows the brain and the body to learn the movement sequence of the golf swing. Practice is also the point where the body begins to develop the proprioceptive qualities required for the golf swing.
Finally, you need to develop the proprioceptive capacities of the body itself through balance exercises. These types of exercises improve the input/output system of the body allowing for improved learning capacities by the body, better “feel” of where the body is in space, and a greater capacity to “feel” the golf swing.
All in all, it is a combination of developing these three entities within your golf swing and body that creates “feel” for the golf swing. They all work together and cannot be separated.
If you truly want to develop a PGA-Tour-type golf swing, you will need to have a better understanding of the golf swing, practice, and development of the body.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Tiger Woods Workout Is Not What You Think
by: Mike Pedersen
Tiger Woods workout is supposedly this “hush-hush” secret nobody knows about, but everybody is dying to find out. Tiger is human like every other golfer and realizes the importance of conditioning for golf. He brought a new meaning to the word golf as a “sport”.
Tiger Woods workout has been rumored to be grueling and highly intensive. I was on a golf forum and even heard someone say Tiger Woods bench presses 300 pounds. I almost fell out of my chair.
For Tiger to put his rotator cuffs, chest and shoulder muscles at risk by bench pressing 300 pounds is a bit extreme. I can confidently say Tiger does not do heavy bench presses. They do no benefit to the golf swing, and put the shoulder complex at a very high risk of injury.
On the other hand, Tiger Woods workout is definitely with weights and most likely progressing to more weights per exercise. All you have to do is look at Tigers physique and you can tell he has gotten bigger and bigger.
But the six million dollar question is, “what is Tiger Woods workout”? “What does he do to produce the results he’s getting on the course”?
Have been a strength and conditioning expert for the better part of 20 years now, I can tell you he’s doing many exercises incorporating balance, stability, coordination, power and flexibility.
As fast as Tiger swings the club, he realizes he needs to keep his core strength and flexibility at a very high level, and most likely incorporates dynamic strength exercises with weighted medicine balls, exercise tubing, balance boards and free weights (most likely dumbbells).
The rumors that are going around are quite comical. I even heard one that says he is 3 percent body fat. That is unbelievable! There is no way he is even under 10 percent. You need to realize that a body fat percentage at 3 percent is what professional body builders have during peak competition. That’s with veins sticking out all over their body’s and skin that is paper thin on top of the muscle.
The search for Tiger Woods workout should end right here!
Take that time in starting you’re very own golf fitness workout, incorporating core rotational strength and flexibility; balance; stability; dynamic sequencing of motion with resistance and ultimately power.
There are many “so-called” golf instruction and fitness books, dvds and products out there. Be aware! Anything that shows pictures of a golfer sitting in a machine in a gym is NOT golf specific fitness!
The golf swing is a very dynamic movement that’s done “on your feet”. Most of your exercises should be done this way. Not sitting in a machine isolating one muscle group at a time.
What I want you to do now, is stop the search and start your program. Let the mystery continue of Tiger Woods workout.
Tiger Woods workout is supposedly this “hush-hush” secret nobody knows about, but everybody is dying to find out. Tiger is human like every other golfer and realizes the importance of conditioning for golf. He brought a new meaning to the word golf as a “sport”.
Tiger Woods workout has been rumored to be grueling and highly intensive. I was on a golf forum and even heard someone say Tiger Woods bench presses 300 pounds. I almost fell out of my chair.
For Tiger to put his rotator cuffs, chest and shoulder muscles at risk by bench pressing 300 pounds is a bit extreme. I can confidently say Tiger does not do heavy bench presses. They do no benefit to the golf swing, and put the shoulder complex at a very high risk of injury.
On the other hand, Tiger Woods workout is definitely with weights and most likely progressing to more weights per exercise. All you have to do is look at Tigers physique and you can tell he has gotten bigger and bigger.
But the six million dollar question is, “what is Tiger Woods workout”? “What does he do to produce the results he’s getting on the course”?
Have been a strength and conditioning expert for the better part of 20 years now, I can tell you he’s doing many exercises incorporating balance, stability, coordination, power and flexibility.
As fast as Tiger swings the club, he realizes he needs to keep his core strength and flexibility at a very high level, and most likely incorporates dynamic strength exercises with weighted medicine balls, exercise tubing, balance boards and free weights (most likely dumbbells).
The rumors that are going around are quite comical. I even heard one that says he is 3 percent body fat. That is unbelievable! There is no way he is even under 10 percent. You need to realize that a body fat percentage at 3 percent is what professional body builders have during peak competition. That’s with veins sticking out all over their body’s and skin that is paper thin on top of the muscle.
The search for Tiger Woods workout should end right here!
Take that time in starting you’re very own golf fitness workout, incorporating core rotational strength and flexibility; balance; stability; dynamic sequencing of motion with resistance and ultimately power.
There are many “so-called” golf instruction and fitness books, dvds and products out there. Be aware! Anything that shows pictures of a golfer sitting in a machine in a gym is NOT golf specific fitness!
The golf swing is a very dynamic movement that’s done “on your feet”. Most of your exercises should be done this way. Not sitting in a machine isolating one muscle group at a time.
What I want you to do now, is stop the search and start your program. Let the mystery continue of Tiger Woods workout.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tiger Woods or Bobby Jones: Who's the Better Golfer?
by: David Mark
If you're a golfer, or even have a passing interest in the great sport of golfing -- a sport where you hit a little white ball with a club and try to get that small sphere into an equally tiny 4 and 1/4 inch cylinder in the ground -- then you undoubtedly know of Tiger Woods accomplishments and his incredible ball-striking expertise.
But, how would Tiger Woods compare to Bobby Jones had they been able to play each other in the same golf tournaments?
Although you've probably heard of Bobby Jones, and may even know of his awards and his awesome record, most golf aficionado's don't realize just how spectacular this great golfer of the early 20th century really was.
In fact, it is impossible to know to EVER know with certain just who the best player really would be. But you can get some golf tips from analyzing the skill of both players.
But, before you even think about who the best would be if they were to play a match together, here are some actual facts to consider.
We are all amazed when we see the mind-blowing tee shots of Tiger Woods.
However, in all fairness to Bobby Jones, it must be pointed out that from 1920 until today, golf clubs and other golfing equipment has come a very long way.
Bobby Jones had no choice but to use golfing equipment that was substantially inferior to the equipment manufactured today.
For example: today's golf drivers are able to hit the ball a good 10-15% or more farther than those manufactured in Bobby Jone's day.
Today's golf ball is wound a lot tighter than those Bobby Jones hit.
The Nike balls used by Tiger, and the Titleist Pro V, used by Phil Mickelson, travel about 30-40 yards further than those of Bobby Jones era.
However, despite the inferior balls and clubs he used, Jones could hit the ball 300 yards in his day.
Consider also, the golf course.
Now many of you are probably thinking, that the courses today, are a little longer. This is true. However, today's courses are set up today to promote better scoring (except the 4 Majors).
This has been done to satisfy spectators thirst for seeing more birdies.
Finally, I believe, the players from Jones era were at one other major disadvantage.
See what the players today would score, if you took away all the wedges!
This all around popular club, is a major reason for todays players being able to get the ball up and down from any where around and near the green.
I wonder how well Tiger would do, having no choice but a nine iron from a tight lie, from a greenside bunker.
And yet that's the only choice Bobby Jones had.
As far as the putter is concerned, the Calamity Jane was Jones choice for a putter, however, todays market of putters is superior in accuracy and construction.
Even, with inferior equipment, compared to todays standards, Jones was
able to shoot fairly low scores.
But also, don't forget the importance of the golf swing.
While we may never know who was the greatest, it creates great food for thought... and makes for great conversation... comparing these 2 golfing immortals!
If you're a golfer, or even have a passing interest in the great sport of golfing -- a sport where you hit a little white ball with a club and try to get that small sphere into an equally tiny 4 and 1/4 inch cylinder in the ground -- then you undoubtedly know of Tiger Woods accomplishments and his incredible ball-striking expertise.
But, how would Tiger Woods compare to Bobby Jones had they been able to play each other in the same golf tournaments?
Although you've probably heard of Bobby Jones, and may even know of his awards and his awesome record, most golf aficionado's don't realize just how spectacular this great golfer of the early 20th century really was.
In fact, it is impossible to know to EVER know with certain just who the best player really would be. But you can get some golf tips from analyzing the skill of both players.
But, before you even think about who the best would be if they were to play a match together, here are some actual facts to consider.
We are all amazed when we see the mind-blowing tee shots of Tiger Woods.
However, in all fairness to Bobby Jones, it must be pointed out that from 1920 until today, golf clubs and other golfing equipment has come a very long way.
Bobby Jones had no choice but to use golfing equipment that was substantially inferior to the equipment manufactured today.
For example: today's golf drivers are able to hit the ball a good 10-15% or more farther than those manufactured in Bobby Jone's day.
Today's golf ball is wound a lot tighter than those Bobby Jones hit.
The Nike balls used by Tiger, and the Titleist Pro V, used by Phil Mickelson, travel about 30-40 yards further than those of Bobby Jones era.
However, despite the inferior balls and clubs he used, Jones could hit the ball 300 yards in his day.
Consider also, the golf course.
Now many of you are probably thinking, that the courses today, are a little longer. This is true. However, today's courses are set up today to promote better scoring (except the 4 Majors).
This has been done to satisfy spectators thirst for seeing more birdies.
Finally, I believe, the players from Jones era were at one other major disadvantage.
See what the players today would score, if you took away all the wedges!
This all around popular club, is a major reason for todays players being able to get the ball up and down from any where around and near the green.
I wonder how well Tiger would do, having no choice but a nine iron from a tight lie, from a greenside bunker.
And yet that's the only choice Bobby Jones had.
As far as the putter is concerned, the Calamity Jane was Jones choice for a putter, however, todays market of putters is superior in accuracy and construction.
Even, with inferior equipment, compared to todays standards, Jones was
able to shoot fairly low scores.
But also, don't forget the importance of the golf swing.
While we may never know who was the greatest, it creates great food for thought... and makes for great conversation... comparing these 2 golfing immortals!
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